Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 3/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: May I use a fine household lubricant such as "3-in-one" oil to lubricate the movement bearings on my grandmother clock?

ANSWER: yes or Mobil 1 0-5 weight.

BUT my reccomendation is to hold your breath till the idea passes.

Oiling clocks often and improperly is bad for clocks

I do NOT --after 36 years of doing this - suggest that clocks be oiled as a preventive maintenance proceedure.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response.  This clock has worked continuously for fifteen years without servicing of any kind.  Now, the clock continues to keep time, but the chimes to not actuate.  The ownership literature indicates that the clock is lubricated when assembled, and should not need any lubrication for at least two years.  Well, it's been fifteen years, and the literature shows me points where to apply "a fine clock lubricant".  I'm oiling only the bearing points, no gears.  What do you think?

Answer
do you have the heaviest weight on the right side as you face the clock?

try the oiling. If it is going to help - the ends of the first 3 shafts on the left and right side of the mechanism starting at the fly fan governors and going down two more shafts (both ends of the shafts) will do the trick. Try a gentle pull on the right weight to get it going.